February 19, 2014 09:52 PM CSTFebruary 19, 2014 11:40 PM CSTFormer Cowboys DE Greg Ellis explains why DeMarcus Ware could have more injury trouble if he continues to play defensive end

Former Cowboys DE Greg Ellis explains why DeMarcus Ware could have more injury trouble if he continues to play defensive end

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Tom Fox/Staff Photographer

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been to the Super Bowl in 18 years and some probably think they’ll never get back. But a parity driven league like the NFL allows most franchises to feel like they’re close to the mountain top. After three consecutive .500 seasons, what would it take for the Cowboys to make it to Glendale, Ariz. (pictured), next year? SportsDay’s Jon Machota gives you 10 things that need to fall into place for that to happen.

Former Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis joined KESN-FM on Tuesday. Here are some highlights from the interview.

On DeMarcus Ware’s situation:

“I don’t see him being released. I don’t think that’ll be advisable for Jerry to make that decision right now. His contract, like all the NFL money guys, there’s always room to negotiate, to manipulate money around to make the cap happy — that’s what Jerry cares about — and to make DeMarcus Ware happy. So there’s creative room in there to get that accomplished. But I would say, as I said at the beginning of last season, is that there is a concern for DeMarcus playing in a 4-3 defense as that defensive end as an outside linebacker. I had the opportunity to do both and when you’re playing outside linebacker in training camp, I couldn’t believe how my body felt, meaning it felt really good. When I played defensive end, it was like, ‘Man, do I really got to go out there and do that again?’ He went from the other end of spectrum. Playing that defensive end in the 4-3, he’s dealing with a 350-pound tackle every single play. When you play outside linebacker and they run the ball away from you, you’re getting a pursuit angle. You’re not even going to get touched.”

On playing defensive end:

“I liken it to a heavy-weight boxing match. We all get excited about Mike Tyson upper cutting somebody and knocking him out and that kind of thing. But the key blows to a heavy-weight boxing match and even a light-weight boxing match are those body blows. … When you’re playing a 4-3 defensive end, those body blows, those little chips, those little nagging things, they don’t seem spectacular, they don’t seem like anything, but they total up and take a huge toll on your productivity as a pass rusher.”

On when he was negotiating for money:

“Fans, they’re fans, and they supposed get upset or disagree when we have to take a stand. But sometimes you have to to protect your best interest, which is also the team’s best interest. You don’t want to hurt the team but sometimes you have to do that.”

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